‘It Takes a Thief’ Film Adaptation Finds Life at Universal

Universal is looking to get the gears moving on a feature adaptation of “It Takes a Thief,” bringing on Greg Russo to pen the script.

Based on the 1970s TV show, the film follows a young CIA analyst who recruits a brilliant thief, who has managed to evade the CIA to work for him.

John Davis is producing through his Davis Entertainment banner as is Joseph Singer. Derek Dauchy will oversee for Davis, with Scott Bernstein overseeing it for Universal.

Russo has been on a hot streak of late, and “It Takes a Thief” would be the latest in a recent string of projects to bolster his resume. He recently penned the script “Heatseekers” for Paramount, which Michael Bay and Chris Morgan are producing, and has also sold a handful of specs and pitches, including “Down” to Relativity and “Black Ice” to Alloy. He is also writing “Continuum” for Relativity, with Atlas and Benderspink producing.

Russo is repped by ICM Partners, Madhouse Entertainment and and attorney Larry Kopeikin.

Source: variety

Fifty Shades of Grey: Jamie Dornan takes the lead

The actor, best known for his role in BBC drama The Fall, is to take over the lead from Charlie Hunnam, who pulled out of the EL James adaptation a fortnight ago

Actor Jamie Dornan is to play kinky billionaire Christian in the upcoming big screen take on salacious literary sensation Fifty Shades of Grey,according to Variety.

Dornan replaces Charlie Hunnam, who left the role earlier this month amid rumors that the Sons of Anarchy and Pacific Rim star had been spooked by overwhelming fan attention, or may have required more input into the script than producers were willing to grant. Studio Universal and director Sam Taylor-Johnson have been searching for a replacement ever since, with the project due for release in nine months time and shooting to start imminently.

Dornan stars as Sheriff Graham Humbert in the ABC series Once Upon a Time and also plays a serial killer in Belfast-set BBC2 crime drama The Fall. His film roles include a Swedish count in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. Aged 31, Dornan has also modeled for Calvin Klein, Christian Dior and Armani.

Producers made the decision to cast the County Down-born actor after screen testing him with Dakota Johnson, who remains in the lead female role of Grey's virginal paramour, Anastasia Steele. Fifty Shades centres on Grey's recruitment of Anastasia to be his well-remunerated sex slave. It is expected to be the first of a trilogy based on British author EL James' three bestselling novels.

Taylor-Johnson was revealed as the director of the film version in June. The artist turned film-maker, whose only feature film to date is the acclaimed 2009 John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, reportedly beat out luminaries of the calibre of Joe Wright, Bennett Miller and Gus van Sant.

Fifty Shades of Grey is due to hit cinemas in August 2014. Producers now hope to wrap up the cast by finding an actor to play Anastasia's flat-mate, Kate. Jennifer Ehle has been cast as the young student's hapless mother, Carla.

The casting of Dornan has not yet been officially confirmed by Universal or James, who has made previous announcements about the film on Twitter.

• Hunnam 'required script approval', Hunnam 'too busy', Hunnam 'has cold feet', Hunnam 'unpopular with fans'

Source: the guardian

Seth MacFarlane's 'Ted 2' set for June 2015 release

Mark Wahlberg stars with the foul-mouthed teddy bear in a scene from last year's "Ted." (Universal Pictures)

Universal Pictures will release "Ted 2" on the same summer weekend that Seth MacFarlane's original film starring the foul-mouthed teddy bear hit theaters in 2012. Hey, if it ain't broke, right?

On Wednesday, the studio announced that it would open the comedy sequel starring Mark Wahlberg on June 26, 2015. That Universal is replicating its original "Ted" release pattern makes sense -- the first film, which debuted on June 29 last year, went on to collect a staggering $549 million worldwide. Given the picture's box office success, few were surprised a sequel was greenlighted last September.

Though "Ted 2" won't begin production until next year, MacFarlane has plenty to keep him occupied. While he won't be returning to host the Academy Awards in March, he's busy wrapping up his comedic western "A Million Ways to Die in the West." The film, which he directed and co-wrote, is expected to stray from his trademark "Family Guy" brand of humor, centering on a farmer trying to win back an ex.

There's also that whole "Dads" controversy. The Fox sitcom that MacFarlane executive produces has been drubbed by critics who claim the program is peppered with racist humor. And since the show's debut three weeks ago, its ratings have been disappointing. 

With "Ted 2" now locked into the release calendar, MacFarlane would seem to have at least one sure thing to look forward to.

Source: latimes